" CARD 191 I

CRESTED CARACARA
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~
ORDER
Fa/coniformes
FAMILY
Fa/conidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Po/yborus p/ancus
The crested caracara Is a broad-winged bird of prey found In both
North and South America. It Is the national bird of Mexico
and is also known as the Mexican eagle.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 22-24 in.
Beak length: About 1 in.
Wingspan: About 4 ft.
Weight: About 2 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
Breeding season: January to April
(U.S.). November to December
(South America).
Eggs: 2-4; whitish with brown
blotches.
Incubation: 28-32 days.
Fledging period: 7 - 8 ~ weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Hunts and scavenges
by day.
Diet: Small birds and mammals,
insects, fish, and scraps.
Call: Loud, harsh cackle.
Lifespan: 30 years in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 9 species of caracara in
the family Fa/canidae.
Range of the crested caracara.
DISTRIBUTION
Southern United States, Central America, and most of South
America to TIerra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands.
CONSERVATION
Although the crested caracara is protected by law in some
areas, it is still killed by sheep farmers. It is also poisoned by
pesticides that are used on crops, and it may be killed acci-
dentally by cars on the road.
FEATURES OF THE CRESTED CARACARA
Tail: Cream-
colored, with
narrow dark
stripes and a
broad band near
the tip.
Flight: Slow, deep beats. The long,
broad, rounded wings contrast greatly
with the sharp wings of other mem-
bers of the falcon family. The pale
patches on top of the wings are
apparent in flight.
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Head: White, capped by
bold black crest. Bare
facial skin is red, orange,
or yellow. Pale gray bill.
Plumage: Pure white neck
becoming flecked on breast. Dirty
brown upperparts are marked and
edged with buff. Striped rump.
Juvenile is more flecked.
Eggs: 2 to 4. White or pale pink,
usually with brown blotches.
0160200591 PACKET 59
The crested caracara is among the more eye-catching
members of the falcon family. Its most distinctive features
are its black crest and its featherless red-orange face. In
flight, the broad, blunt wings of the crested caracara
make it look more like a hawk than a falcon. Its long
legs and talons enable it to walk and scratch at
the ground for food, much as a chicken does.
~ H A B I T A T
The crested caracara likes to
live in open spaces where it can
easily spot prey. It can be found
in areas with some trees and
bushes. But it prefers hot, semi-
desert lowlands with little tall
vegetation. It is also able to
adapt to cold climates. In the
Andes, for instance, it can be
found at elevations of more
than 9,500 feet.
Although it has preferences,
the crested caracara has ad-
justed to varied environments
across its range. In Florida it
inhabits grassy prairies with
scattered clumps of trees and
small ponds. In Texas it can be
found on grassy pastures and
in scrubby woods. It also inhab-
its areas of mesquite bushes on
the coastal plains.
In Mexico the crested cara-
cara is found in urban areas.
Flocks may gather at slaughter-
houses to feed on the discarded
insides of animals. Or they may
search garbage dumps for food
waste. In Brazil the bird lives in
coastal areas. In the Falkland
Islands and Tierra del Fuego, it
nestles among clumps of tus-
sock grass that grow on the
windswept shores.
~ FOOD & HUNTI NG
The crested caracara eats al-
most anything-alive or dead.
It kills small birds, reptiles, ro-
dents, and a variety of insects.
It feeds on carrion, pecking at
animals killed on roads or by
other birds. Dead fish are an-
other favorite food. Large flocks
gather wherever such food
sources are plentiful.
The crested caracara uses its
feet to flip over animal dung
and dead leaves to find inver-
tebrates. It patiently watches
Left: The crested caracara likes a
sparse habitat where it can easily
spot prey or enemies.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Brazil railway workers ex-
tend meat on sticks from train
windows. The crested cara-
caras fly alongside the train
and snatch the meat.
The caracara is named af-
ter the loud, harsh call that it
sometimes utters in flight.
I. The crested caracara was
once widely killed by sheep
a turtle lay its eggs, then de-
vours them. It may also pluck
young turtles from lake shores,
and it searches for frogs under
lily pads.
At times the crested cara-
cara is even more aggressive
in pursuit of food. This power-
ful bird of prey can kill sickly
lambs and force pelicans to
drop fish. It will even pursue
vultures through the air, pes-
tering them until they drop
their food.
Right: An opportunist feeder, the
crested caracara often eats car-
casses left near the road.
farmers in the United States
because it threatened sheep.
Today it is protected by law.
Despite its broad wings and
slow flight, the caracara is a
close relative of the fast-flying,
narrow-winged falcon.
The crested caracara is the
only caracara species found
in the United States.
In breeding season, the male
crested caracara fights other
males. He displays by bending
his head back over a shoulder
as he flies. He also gives a loud,
cackling cry. The fights and
calls establish his territory.
The nest is a heap of sticks,
cattle dung, and other materi-
als. Usually it is set in a tree with
dense fol iage, but sometimes
it is located in a tall cactus or
palm. On treeless plains the
nest is built on the ground or
Left: Bushy foliage helps to conceal
the caracara chick and offers the
adult a good lookout.
Left: The crested
caracara can be
identified by its
black cap and
short crest. The
color at the base
of the beak can
quickly change
from pale yel/ow
to vivid red.
below an overhanging rock.
The female lays two to four
white or pinkish eggs that have
brown speckles. Both adults sit
on the eggs, which hatch after
a month. For the next seven to
nine weeks, the parents tend
the young. The male also keeps
a lookout, calling to his mate if
danger threatens.
The nest may be used again
the next year by the same pair.
Some nests are used twice in
one season. It is not known if
the same parents rear two fam-
ilies or the nest is used by a sec-
ond pair.
COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL
ORDER
Charadriiformes
FAMILY
Laridae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Larus ridibundus
The common black-headed gull is now the most widespread gull
species in Europe. At one time it frequented only coastal habitats,
but now it can be seen in the hearts of the biggest cities.
KEY FACTS

SIZES
Length: 13-15 in.
Wingspan: ft.
Weight: 9-11 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Breeding season: April to June.
No. of eggs: Usually 2-3; pale
to greenish with brown spots.
Incubation: 3-4 weeks.
Fledging period: 5-6 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, often nesting in
colonies containing several thou-
sand birds.
Diet: Varied, including all kinds of
small marine life, insects, plants,
carrion, and refuse.
Call: A raucous shriek.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 47 species of gull, placed
in 6 genera. Closely related is Bo-
naparte's gull, Larus philadelphia,
of North America.
Breeding range of the
common black-headed gull.
DISTRIBUTION
Winter range.
The common black-headed gull is found throughout northern
and central Europe and east into Asia. Its winter range includes
the eastern coast of North America.
CONSERVATION
The population of the common black-headed gull has increased
because of reduced persecution, increased food supplies, and an
increase in artificial sites such as reservoirs and sewage plants.
FEATURES OF THE COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL
.)
Bill: Sharp, thin,

Winter plumage: A dark spot behind
the eye is all that remains of the dark
brown hood. Otherwise unchanged
from summer plumage.
plumage: The "black" head
is act'rtally dark brown. The dark color
does not extend down the back of the
neck, as it does in several other gull
species. Wings and back are mediu
gray. Rest of plumage is white.
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,
In flight: Juvenile (above) has dark
bands on the wings. Adult's wings
have black tips year-round.
US P 6001 12 073 PACKET 73
The common black-headed gull is a highly successful bird
because it is capable of adapting to a variety of habitats
and diets. Like the much larger herring gull, this bird has
benefited greatly from human activities. While it feeds on
whatever live prey it can find, it also exploits food sources
such as garbage dumps, city parks, and farmland. The
black-headed gull even scavenges fish waste in seaports.
~ H A B I T S
The common black-headed gull
is widespread. It ranges from
Iceland eastward across Europe
into much of Asia. It is a com-
mon winter visitor around the
Mediterranean and into Africa.
This gull adapts well to new
habitats. It can be found far from
the coast in city parks, sewage
plants, and reservoirs. It is even
seen on city streets, where it may
take food from people.
One of the smaller gulls, this
bird is easy to identify as it soars
gracefully through the sky, with
its dark head and dusky under-
wings visible. A powerful bird, it
can fly through sea storms or
hover to catch insects. When
swimming it is very buoyant,
floating high on the water with
its tail up.
The common black-headed
gull is a sociable species, and
roosts may hold several thou-
sand birds. Roosting sites in-
clude rocks, islands, reservoirs,
fields, and even shed roofs.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The feeding habits and diet of
the common black-headed gull
are extremely diverse. In coast-
al habitats, it eats any marine
animal it can swallow. Carp
and other freshwater fish that
swim near the surface of rivers
are also likely prey. The bird
feeds while swimming, or it
swoops low over the water to
scoop prey from the surface.
The common black-headed
gull will scavenge anything
from carrion to cheese. Birds
Left: The common black-headed
gull loses its dark brown hood dur-
ing the winter.
Right: The black-headed gull has
one of the thinnest, sharpest bills
of all gulls.
DID YOU KNOW?
As the black-headed gull has
increased in numbers in Eu-
rope, it has become more
common in North America,
where it is now a regular win-
ter visitor.
According to records, almost
100,000 black-headed gulis
gathered on a reservoir in En-
gland in 1970.
flock around garbage dumps,
docks, slaughterhouses, and
sewage plants, and they may
be seen squabbling over bread
crumbs in city parks.
The gull also eats insects and
may pursue swarms of flying
ants through the air. It is often
welcome on farms, where it
picks insect pests from fields.
Right: The black-headed gull's call
consists of a series of harsh, rasp-
ing notes.
The black-headed gull is
common in inland areas dur-
ing winter. However, it is often
misidentified because its win-
ter plumage does not include
the dark hood on the head.
About three million black-
headed gulls winter in Great
Britain. About 300,000 pairs
also breed there.
~
~ BIRDWATCH
In recent decades the black-
headed gull has increased in
numbers on the Atlantic coast
of North America and on the
Great Lakes. It is most often
found during winter in har-
bors, in estuaries, and along
waterfronts of coastal cities.
~ BREEDING
In March the common black-
headed gull flies back to its
breeding grounds. It may nest
in various habitats, including
freshwater and salt marshes,
sandbanks, lakes, and moor-
land. Several thousand birds
may share a colony, and fight-
ing breaks out as each pair tries
to establish a territory.
Mating begins in April, and
Left: The chick's blotched plumage
provides camouflage in many nest-
ing sites.
The pigeon-size common
black-headed gull is very sim-
ilar to Bonaparte's gull, its
North American counterpart.
But the black-headed gull is
larger, the undersides of its
wings are darker, and its bill
is red rather than black.
both sexes build the nest. In
large colonies the nests may be
placed close together. The fe-
male lays two or three eggs. If
the first clutch is lost, she usual-
ly lays a second one.
The young black-headed gull
is fully fledged within five or six
weeks, and it usually flies off to-
ward the south. After the first
winter, the immature bird re-
turns to the colony where it was
reared. It can breed by the end
of the second winter.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE
ORDER
Anseriformes
FAMILY
Anatidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS & SPECIES
Alopochen aegyptiacus
In spite of its name, the Egyptian goose is not a true goose. It is
more closely related to ducks. Its native habitat is Africa, but
small colonies exist in England and the Netherlands.
KEY FACTS
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SIZES
Length: 2 - 2 ~ ft.
Wingspan: 4 ~ - 5 ft.
Weight: 35-50 lb. Male heavier
than female.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Year-round in
Africa.
No. of broods: 1.
Eggs: 8-9; creamy white.
Incubation: 1 month.
Fledging period: 11 -14 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Lives in pairs, family groups,
and flocks. Territorial.
Call: Male makes husky, breathy
sound. Female makes loud trum-
peting honk.
Diet: Grass, leaves, seeds, and
grain crops.
RELATED SPECIES
The Egyptian goose is sometimes
grouped with the shelducks.
Range of the Egyptian goose.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread throughout tropical Africa south of the Sahara, in
the Nile valley, and southern Palestine. Small numbers live in
England and the Netherlands.
CONSERVATION
The Egyptian goose is one of the most common duck species
in Africa and is in no danger.
FEATURES OF THE EGYPTIAN GOOSE
Plumage: Simil ar in male and female.
Reddish orange or brown upper
wi ngs wi th fine black flecks. Under-
sides of wings are white with black
and green sections. Breast and
underparts are pale cinnamon
with whitish specks. Black tail.
long. Feet are
ful ly webbed.
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Eggs: 8 or 9; creamy white.
About 3 inches long-small
for a bird of this size.
Bill: Pink with
black edges
and tip.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Head: Distinctive chestnut
brown mask over the eye
with a line from corner of
eye to base of bill.
0160200721 PACKET 72
The Egyptian goose is one of the most aggressive species of
waterfowl. This bird is most combative during the breeding
season, and fights between rival males are often quite vicious.
The Egyptian goose lives in pairs, small groups, or large
flocks. A flock may contain up to a thousand birds,
but it usually numbers no more than a hundred.
~ HABITS
The Egyptian goose inhabits all
of sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile
valley, and southern Palestine.
A small population lives in Eng-
land, where the species was in-
troduced in the 1 700s. An even
smaller colony now exists in the
Netherlands, where the birds
escaped from a park.
The Egyptian goose spends
most of the day at the water's
edge, grooming itself and bath-
ing. It often lives among water
birds such as herons and storks
and among large animals such
as hippopotamuses and croco-
diles. A bold bird, it may even
perch on the back of a dozing
hippo. At night it roosts in a tree
or on a sandbank.
The Egyptian goose cannot fly
during the molting season. If
threatened during this time, it
gives an alarm call and swims
far out into the water.
Right: The Egyptian goose lives
around the edges of freshwater
rivers and lakes.
~ BREEDING
In the warm climate of Africa,
the Egyptian goose can breed
throughout the year. In the cold-
er climate of northern Europe,
however, breeding is restricted
to March and April.
The bird's nesting sites include
ground burrows, hollow trees,
thick vegetation near water, or
trees up to 80 feet high. The fe-
male builds a nest out of twigs
and leaves and lines it with down.
Sometimes she takes over the
deserted nests of larger birds
such as eagles and herons.
While establishing their breed-
ing territories and finding mates,
males become very aggressive
and frequently fight. Standing or
left: The male Egyptian goose
shows off the white undersides of
his wings to attract a mate.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ancient Egyptians consid-
ered the Egyptian goose sa-
cred and often depicted it on
their monuments.
Egyptian geese have nested
among vulture colonies with-
out suffering harm.
A big flock of Egyptian geese
swimming breast to breast, they
try to bite each other's back. The
winner stretches his neck forward
and utters a loud call.
The male Egyptian goose dis-
plays in front of a prospective
mate. He stands before her with
his wings half-spread and head
and neck extended, while utter-
ing a harsh, husky sound.
After mating, the female lays
eight or nine eggs, which hatch
after about a month. If the nest
is set high in a tree, the parents
may sometimes carry the new-
ly hatched chicks to the ground
in their bills, or the parents may
call from below until the chicks
follow them down.
Right: The chicks remain in their
parents' care for almost four months
after hatching.
can devastate a crop field in
a few hours, eating the grain
and trampling young shoots.
The bird is considered a pest
in South Africa.
A captive Egyptian goose
attacks other birds if confined
to a very small area.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The Egyptian goose feeds on
grass, plant leaves, seeds, and
sprouting grain crops. Although
the birds often graze in pairs or
family groups, enormous flocks
are known to raid wheat fields
on occasion.
At dawn the Egyptian goose
usually leaves its roost and flies
to a communal feeding ground.
It scans the area for predators
such as snakes, monitor lizards,
and the larger birds of prey. If
the area seems to be safe, the
left: Mating
takes place
after a male
succeeds in
impressing a
female with his
courtship dis-
play. The pair
mates in shal-
low waters
near the bank.
bird begins to feed. It immedi-
ately chases away new arrivals
that do not belong to the feed-
ing group.
The Egyptian goose feeds for
an hour or two and then rests
for a while before moving on. It
usually drinks during the hot
hours of the afternoon. At sun-
set the bird returns to the feed-
ing ground for another meal.
When it has finished eating, it
flies back to its roost to rest and
sleep until dawn.
GREAT SPOTTED
WOODPECKER
ORDER
Piciformes
FAMILY
Picidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Oendrocopos major
In early spring the forest is filled with the sound of the great
spotted woodpecker drumming on trees with its bill. This means
that most widespread woodpecker is looking for a mate.

KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 9 in.
Weight: 3 oz.
Wingspan: 13-15 in.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Unknown.
Breeding season: April to July.
Number of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 4-7; glossy white.
Incubation: 1 6 days.
Fledging period: About 3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active by day. Pairs for one
season but is otherwise solitary
and highly territorial.
Diet: Insects, seeds, nuts, fruit,
eggs and nestlings of other birds.
Call: A sharp, clear "chick."
lifespan: About 11 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Among the relatives of the great
spotted woodpecker is the Syrian
woodpecker, Oendrocopos syriacus,
common in southeastern Europe.
Range of the great spotted woodpecker.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds throughout most of Europe and across central Asia. The
birds that are seen in Ireland are migrants blown off course.
CONSERVATION
The great spotted woodpecker is common over most of its
range and increasing in some countries. It disappeared from
northern England and Scotland by 1860, but 40,000 pairs
now breed in Great Britain each year.
FEATURES OF THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER
Juvenile: Has a bright red cap on top of
the head. Otherwise, plumage is basically
the same as that of the adult bird.
Plumage: A large,
white oval patch on
each side of the
black back. An un-
broken black bar be-
tween the white
cheek and neck
patches. White un-
derparts. Narrow
white bars on both
wings and outer tail
feathers. Bright red
patches beneath the
tail and on the back
of the male's head.
Feet: 2 toes point forward and 2
point backward to give the best
possible grip on a vertical surface.
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The bird taps the trunk, listening
for the hollow ring that identifies
a grub's tunnel. It draws out the
prey on its long, sticky tongue.
Eggs: 4 to 7
white eggs
are laid in a
pear-shaped
chamber.
0160200621 PACKET 62
The great spotted woodpecker became extinct in Scotland
and northern England during the first half of the 19th
century. During the past 100 years, however, it has made
a significant comeback. Today this distinctive black, white,
and red bird breeds in every European country except
Ireland. It can also be found across central Asia,
and it occurs at a wide range of altitudes.
~ H A B I T A T
The great spotted woodpecker
is the most common and wide-
spread of all the European wood-
peckers. Its range stretches from
the cold pine and spruce forests
of Scandinavia and the U.S.S.R.
to the warmer Mediterranean
woodlands. It is found at alti-
tudes that range from sea level
to 3,300 feet.
The great spotted woodpeck-
er lives in a variety of woodland
habitats as well as in parks, gar-
dens, and churchyards. It pre-
fers areas filled with mature trees
in which it can hack out its nest
holes. It also searches in these
areas for decayed wood, which
harbors the insects it eats.
The great spotted woodpeck-
er is a year-round resident in
most areas in its range. It rarely
moves more than six miles from
where it was reared. But birds in
the north must make long jour-
neys in search of food whenever
there is a shortage of the conifer
seeds on which they depend in
winter. At these times, the birds
travel to western Europe, as far
as southern France.
Right: The female leaves the nest
chamber to search for food for
her offspring.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The great spotted woodpecker
has a varied diet. It snatches in-
sects, spiders, and larvae from
the tree's surface, or it pries off
bark and pecks at the wood to
expose them. It can locate a
grub's tunnel by pecking at a
tree and listening for the hol-
low sound that identifies the
tunnel. It then hacks an open-
ing into the tunnel and grabs
the prey on its sticky tongue.
The woodpecker also eats
fruits, nuts, and conifer seeds,
Left: Shock-absorbent material
around the beak enables the wood-
pecker to hammer relentlessly.
I DID YOU KNOW?
e It was originally thought
that the great spotted wood-
pecker made the drumming
sound with its voice. In the
1930s it was proved that the
drumming sound was made
by the bird's bill striking rapid-
ly against wood.
l
e The woodpecker can extract
all the seeds from a pinecone
especially in winter when insects
are scarce. It pecks a cone off at
the base or tears it from the
tree. Then it wedges the cone
into a crevice, hammers off the
scales, and licks out the seeds.
In summer the bird also eats
the eggs and nestlings of other
birds, especially small species
that nest in holes, such as tit-
mice and flycatchers. It some-
times makes many small holes
around a tree trunk and drinks
the rich, sugary sap.
Right: Both male and female great
spotted woodpeckers gather food
for their chicks.
within four minutes, using up
to 800 blows. In winter, it may
eat 1,700 pine seeds; 8,000
larch seeds; or 10,700 spruce
seeds in a single day.
e The woodpecker's aban-
doned roosting and nesting
holes are used by a wide vari-
ety of other birds as well as by
squirrels and dormice.
~
I
~ BIRDWATCH
The great spotted woodpeck-
er is about the size of a black-
bird. Despite its bold plumage,
it is hard to spot. But its loud,
distinctive "chick" call and the
sound of its drumming draw
attention to its location.
The great spotted woodpeck-
~ BREEDING
In spring the male great spotted
woodpecker defends a territory
from his rivals and advertises his
presence to potential mates by
drumming loudly and rapidly
with his beak. Courting bird pairs
chase each other around trees,
making fluttering display flights
with their tails raised and spread.
At a height of 10 to 16 feet
above the ground, the pair of
birds hacks out a nesting cham-
ber in a tree. The circular nest
entrance is about two inches
wide. A short tunnel leads into
a pear-shaped cavity, which is
about a foot deep and unlined,
er has an undulating flight. It
beats its rounded wings sever-
al times; then closes them for
a deep, swooping glide; and
finally flaps them again to re-
gain some height.
In winter, it visits birdhouses,
looking for nuts.
except for a few wood chips.
The eggs are white, and both
parents share the incubation.
The newborns jostle aggressive-
ly when their parents return
with beaks full of caterpillars.
The male roosts in the nest
with his offspring, but they may
force him out when they are al-
most fledged. Later, the young
birds roost outdoors for a few
nights, pressed against a tree,
before finding new roosting
holes. They quickly learn to find
their own food and are fully in-
dependent by the time their
parents chase them away.
SCOPS OWL
ORDER
S trigiformes
FAMilY
Strigidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Otus scops
GROUP 2: BIRDS
Smaller than a song thrush, the scops owl is the only European owl
with ear tufts. This nighttime hunter feeds mainly on insects,
using its keen senses of sight and hearing to locate prey.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
length: 7-8 in.
Wingspan: About 2 ft.
Weight: About 3 oz., but varies
with the seasons.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: April to July.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 3-6; white.
Incubation: 24-25 days.
Fledging period: 3-4 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Pairs for the breeding season.
Majority migrate in winter.
Diet: Mainly insects; also small mam-
mals, lizards, birds, and vegetation.
Call: Short, low-pitched whistle.
lifespan: Longest on record,
12 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Otus contains 37 species,
including the American screech-owls.
Resident range
of the scops owl.
DISTRIBUTION
Winter range. Breeding range.
Breeds in southern Europe, parts of the Middle East, and as far
east as Mongolia. Migrates south to winter between the Sahara
Desert and the equator.
CONSERVATION
The population of the scops owl has declined and its range has
decreased due to habitat loss and pesticides, which contami-
nate the insects on which the owl feeds.
FEATURES OF THE SCOPS OWL
Ear tufts: Wispy feathers
that play no part in the owl's
hearing. Other tufted owls,
such as the short-eared
owl, are much larger
than the scops.
Plumage: Grayish or
reddish brown with pale
and dark brown flecks.
Coloring provides
excellent camouflage.
MCMXCIV IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Defense posture: If
alarmed, the scops
owl half-closes its
eyes and quickly
tenses its muscles,
assuming a rigid,
upright position.
Camouflaged by its
plumage, the owl
looks like a bro-
ken branch. It
uses this defen-
sive behavior
only during
the day.
US P 6001 12067 PACKET 67
With its subtly flecked brownish plumage, the scops owl
is perfectly camouflaged during daylight hours, when
it roosts on a branch near the trunk of a tree. If it is
threatened, this bird tenses its body, turns its head, and
raises its tufted ears. Standing motionless with its eyes
half-closed, the scops owl blends in with its background,
looking like nothing more than the stump of a tree.

An ideal habitat for the scops
owl is wooded farmland, com-
bining broad-leaved trees with
open ground. The owl needs
trees for roosting, nesting when
breeding, and perching while
searching for prey. It also needs
to be near open ground, where
it can find the insects that make
up most of its diet.
Like numerous other animals,
however, the scops owl has had
to adapt to surroundings that
have been altered by humans.
As a result, it can now be found
in orchards and vineyards as
well as on olive and almond
plantations. It also breeds in
gardens, parks, roadside trees,
and even birdhouses.
In winter most scops owls
migrate to Africa, where they
settle in a belt south of the
Sahara and north of the rain-
forests. The owls that breed in
Mediterranean areas, however,
rarely migrate.
Right: The male scops owl makes
frequent trips from the nest to find
insects for his hungry young.
FOOD & HUNTING
Like many smaller owl species,
the scops owl feeds mainly on
spiders and insects, including
moths, crickets, ants, dragon-
flies, wasps, and flies. It hunts
primarily at night, sitting on a
high perch where it can best
utilize its keen senses of hearing
and sight. Like other owls, it has
forward-facing eyes that give it
only a narrow field of vision. But
it is able to swivel its head 1 80
degrees to look in any direction
without moving its body, so it
can look for prey without alert-
ing an insect to its presence.
Left: The scops owl is rarely active
during the day. It usually roosts
quietly on a branch.
When it spots an insect, the
owl dives down and attacks with
both feet, usually knocking the
victim to the ground. The owl
then returns to its perch with
the insect and removes any
wings before eating the body.
The scops owl also hunts on
the ground, pulling up earth-
worms with its bill. In addition
it preys on lizards, frogs, mice,
shrews, and bats. It plucks birds
and tears other larger prey apart
before eating. The owl may also
supplement its diverse diet with
plant matter.
Ri ght: After catching an insect
with its talons, the scops owl
returns to its perch to eat it.
Left: The scops
owl can cam-
ouf/age itself in
less than a sec-
ond by tensing
its muscles so
that its stiff-
ened body re-
sembles part
ofa branch.
Thebird's
color then
makes ital-
most invisible.
DID YOU KNOW?
Owls expel indigestible
parts of their prey by cough-
ing them up as pellets. But
scops owls eat so many in-
sects that their pellets are
fragile and quickly disinte-
grate. As a result, the pellets
are rarely found.
The scops owl defends its
eggs and chicks fiercely. Both

In April the male scops owl ut-
ters a whistling call to attract a
mate, and the female responds
with a higher note. The male
then shows her various nesting
sites, and she indicates her pref-
erence for one by roosting in it.
The female lays three to six
eggs in an unlined hollow tree,
among rocks, or inside holes in
walls. She incubates the eggs
while the male feeds her.
The hatchlings can hear but
not see until they are three or
four days old. The male brings
parents will dart down with
claws outstretched to attack a
human that comes too close
to the nest.
Insects are not very nutri-
tious, so young scops owls
need to be fed often. The
male brings them food about
every 11 minutes during the
first half of each night.
them small pieces of food, which
the young can eat whole. Later
he brings back larger items. The
mother tears these apart before
passing them on to her chicks.
At 11 days old, a nestling can
stand and tear its own food. At
about three weeks old it leaves
the nest but sits at the entrance
for some time while its parents
fly back and forth, encouraging
it to take the plunge. The par-
ents care for the young until it
becomes independent at six to
seven weeks old.
GOLDCREST
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Musciapidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS & SPECIES
Regulus regulus
The goldcrest is a tiny bird-even smaller than some
hummingbirds. It shares the title of Europe ~ smallest
breeding bird with its less common relative, the firecrest.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 3 ~ in.
Weight: Less than 14 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Spring and
summer, when food is plentiful.
No. of broods: Usually 2.
Eggs: Usually 7-10; whitish,
speckled with brown.
Incubation: 14-17 days.
Fledging: About 3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Restless and day-active.
Sociable, except during the
breeding season.
Diet: Mainly insects and larvae.
Call: Thin-sounding, shrill contact
call. Song is a sequence of rising
and falling bell-like notes.
lifespan: 4 ~ years.
RELATED SPECIES
Closely related to the golden-
crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa.
Range of the goldcrest.
DISTRIBUTION
The goldcrest is widespread throughout Europe and in wooded
parts of Asia.
CONSERVATION
The goldcrest has flourished in recent years because large areas
of countryside have been replanted with conifer trees. Although
a severe winter may wipe out a large proportion of the popula-
tion, losses are quickly made up.
FEATURES OF THE GOLDCRESTi
Coloring: Male and
female similar. Plumage
is mainly yellowish green
with a black-and-white
double wing bar. Male
has yellow-orange crown
bordered with black stripes.
Crown is more yellow on
female and lacking
on the juvenile.
Bill: Sharply
pointed for
plucking in-
sects from
tree bark.
Male
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
THE GOLDCREST'S NEST
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200791 PACKET 79
The goldcrest is a plump bird with a pointed bill and
yellowish green plumage. This short-tailed bird is similar
in silhouette to numerous members of the warbler family.
When competing for a mate, the male goldcrest raises the
vivid yellow-orange and black feathers of his crown.
~ HABITS
The sociable goldcrest is wide-
spread in coniferous woodlands.
Outside the breeding season it
lives in small flocks, often mix-
ing with various titmice. It ap-
pears constantly busy, searching
for food, flying through trees,
flicking its wings, and calling to
other flock members.
Goldcrest numbers have re-
cently increased, especially in
areas where the tree canopies in
new plantations have begun to
spread. As lower branches are
starved of light and die, other
birds leave to find lighter, more
suitable conditions, but the gold-
crest remains and thrives. When
its numbers are very high, the
bird may also frequent decidu-
ous woodland, especially areas
with a high proportion of oaks.
Goldcrest populations are dec-
imated in severe winters. This is
partly because the bird has trou-
ble conserving body heat and
partly because it lacks insects to
eat. Numbers soon recover,
however, since the goldcrest
can breed twice a year. In addi-
tion, the female can produce
more eggs per clutch after a
harsh winter.
Right: When it is foraging, the
goldcrest flicks its wings almost
all the time.
~ BREEDING
The usually friendly goldcrest
becomes aggressive during the
spring breeding season. There is
a great deal of competition be-
tween males. Scuffles break out,
but they rarely result in injury.
The male may raise and flare
out his yellow-orange crown,
both to show defiance to com-
peting males and to signal that
he is looking for a mate.
After pairing, the birds build a
nest in a tree, usually near the tip
of a branch 3 to 16 feet above
the ground. The small, deep,
cup-shaped nest is hung from
Left: Goldcrests have benefited
from the planting of coniferous
trees in recent years.
DID YOU KNOW?
The goldcrest was once
known as the gold-crested
wren, even though the two
species are not related.
The winter wren is often
mistakenly called Europe's
twigs below the branch like a
hammock. The nest is made of
moss, lichen, grass, hai rs, and
sheep's wool, all woven togeth-
er with spiders' webs.
After insulating the nest with
feathers, the female lays the first
of two clutches of tiny eggs. Al-
t hough she usually lays 7 to 10
eggs, she may lay up to 13.
The female incubates the eggs
for 14 to 17 days, while the male
vigorously defends the nest site.
Both male and female feed the
chicks, which leave the nest in
about three weeks.
Ri ght: When food is plentiful, the
goldcrest usually has a second,
smaller brood in June.
smallest bird. It is the same
length as the goldcrest but
weighs nearly twice as much.
The male goldcrest is so ag-
gressive that he may flare his
crest upon seeing his reflection.
~ I BIRDWATCH
The goldcrest's very small size
makes it difficult to spot . In
dense woods, the best way t o
find a flock is to listen f or the
birds' shrill, piping calls.
From afar, a goldcrest can
be confused with a bird in the
ti tmouse family. But t he gold-
crest is smaller and possesses a
much shorter tail.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The goldcrest spends the great-
er part of its day fluttering from
one branch to another, search-
ing for food. It eats spiders and
small insects, including the lar-
vae and eggs, which it plucks
from foliage and tree bark in
the forest canopy.
The goldcrest sometimes hov-
ers beside a branch for several
seconds, flicking its wings like
a hummingbird. It then darts
forward and snatches an insect
in its sharp, pointed bill. This
acrobatic bird can also hang
upside down in order to search
for insects along the undersides
of branches.
'" CARD 197 I
WHOOPING CRANE
, , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Cruiformes
FAMilY
Cruidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Crus americana
The whooping crane gets its name from its exceptionally loud
musical call, which has been compared to the sound
of a trumpet, bugle, or trombone.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: 4-5 ft.
Wingspan: 7 ft.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 4-5 years.
Breeding season: April to May.
No. of broods: 1.
Eggs: 2; buff or olive. Usually only
1 chick survives.
Incubation: 5 weeks.
Fledging period: 4 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Territorial. Usually solitary,
but migrates in flocks.
Diet: Leaves, roots, seeds, shellfish,
invertebrates, and frogs.
Call: Loud, trumpeting sound.
lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
Of the 15 members of the crane
family, the nearest relative is the
Japanese crane, Crus japonensis.
Breeding range of the whooping crane. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds in Wood Buffalo National Park, in MacKenzie, Canada.
Winters in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.
CONSERVATION
Hunting bans, wildlife refuges, and foster parenting experi-
ments have given the whooping crane some chance of sur-
vival. At over 100 birds, the population in the wild is now
steady, but it will probably never be high.
FEATURES OF THE WHOOPING CRANE
Wing feathers: White. Fingerlike
primary feathers have
black tips.
I
Eggs: Buff or olive
with brown marks.
Although 2 eggs
are laid, usual-
ly only a single
ahick is reare(t
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Plumage: All
white body and
neck with black
and red skin on
face. Male and fe-
male are similar.
Legs: Long,
for wading in
shallow wa-
ters of marsh-
land habitat.
us P 6001 12 075 PACKET 75
Although never numerous, whooping cranes were once
widely distributed in the northern United States and in
Canada. But by the 1930s the whooping crane was close
to extinction, with only about 15 individuals in the wild.
Today, this bird is slowly increasing its population. It is
now a symbol of endangered American wildlife.

The whooping crane lives in
marshy areas. Over a period of
time humans have drastically
reduced this bird's range and
numbers by draining marsh-
lands and building roads and
canals. Today, the whooping
crane's only breeding site is far
from civilization, on the shores
of Canada's Great Slave Lake in
Wood Buffalo National Park. In
this area the bird is gradually
increasing its population, find-
ing suitable nesting sites deep
in the low coniferous swamp-
lands called the muskeg.
In fall the whooping crane
migrates 2,000 miles to spend
the winter in the warm coastal
marshes of Aransas National
Wildlife Refuge, located on the
Gulf of Mexico in Texas. Dur-
ing its migration, it finds rest-
ing places in lakes, swamps,
and prairies.
Right: The sandhill crane may act
as a foster parent for the whooping
crane young.
FOOD &: FEEDING
The whooping crane feeds pri-
marily on the leaves, roots, and
fruit that it finds in the muskeg.
It also eats shellfish and other
invertebrates. During summer it
prefers to eat crayfish, mollusks,
.and frogs.
Farmers formerly considered
the whooping crane a threat to
left: Park wardens band the
whooping crane to monitor its
migration and numbers.
DID YOU KNOW?
The whooping crane lays
two eggs but rears only one
chick. In a fostering experiment
designed to increase the spe-
cies, conservationists remove
one egg for incubation by the
related sandhill crane.
crops. However, the birds ac-
tually help to control insects by
eating wireworms and other lar-
vae that damage crops.
The whooping crane usually
feeds alone. But in winter small
groups may forage together,
wading through shallow waters
on their long black legs.
Right: An opportunist feeder, the
whooping crane eats worms and
eels as well as plants.
Even before the colonial era,
there were probably no more
than 1,500 whooping cranes
in America.
When it is migrating, the
whooping crane flies at alti-
tudes of up to two miles.
- --
BREEDING
The male whooping crane be-
gins his courtship ritual as early
as December. He bows, flaps his
wings, and leaps into the air with
his neck arched over his back.
The female joins the dancing,
and sometimes juveniles take
part. By mid-April, while still in
the wintering grounds, the pair
has formed a bond that proba-
bly lasts for life.
After returning to their breed-
ing area by May, the birds
build nests of piled vegetation
left: Like all
cranes, the
whooping
crane extends
its neck and
head in flight.
Its fingerlike
black primary
feathers are
clearly visible.
on wet ground. The female usu-
ally lays two eggs, either buff or
olive-colored. The eggs are incu-
bated by both parents for five
weeks. From each clutch of two,
the parents usually rear only
one chick.
Although the chick's legs grow
rapidly, its wings do not, and it
is not ready to fly until Septem-
ber. A few weeks later, the chick
follows its parents south for the
winter. When it is eight months
old, the chick is independent.
OLDSQUAW
__________________________________ __
ORDER
Anseriformes
FAMILY
Anatidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Clangula hyemalis
The oldsquaw spends most o(its life at sea, but it comes ashore
to breed in the summer. To get to its breeding grounds, the
bird may venture farther north than any other duck.
KEY FACTS

SIZES
Length: 16-20 in.
Wingspan: ft .
Weight: 1-2 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Breeding season: Late May to
early September.
Eggs: 5-9; yellowish buff.
Incubation: 3-4 weeks.
Fledging period: 5-6 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Highly sociable outside the
breeding season.
Diet: Mollusks, crustaceans, small
fish, insects, and plants.
Calls: Male utters far-reaching
musical yodels.
lifespan: 3-4 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Related sea ducks include the com-
mon eider, Somateria mollissima, as
well as the white-winged seater,
Melanitta fusca.
Breeding range of the oldsquaw. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
The oldsquaw breeds in the Arctic tundra and uplands of North
America, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, Russia, and Siberia.
More than 600,000 birds nest in Alaska alone. Most oldsq'uaws
migrate south for the winter.
CONSERVATION
The world population is estimated at 10 million. The birds suffer
badly from oil spills and being caught in fishing nets.
FEATURES OF THE OlDSQUAW
Mal e: Like female,
pl umage changes 4
times a year. In July,
loses tail feathers
and develops dull
eclipse (interim)
plumage, with dark
brown crown and
back, pale brown
chest, white under-
parts, and grayish
white face patches.
Female: Markings are not as distinct
as male's, and long tail feathers are ab-
sent. Summer plumage resembles
- - ....- male's, with dark crown and
back and pale chest.
<ClMr. MXr.\l 1 IMP R\/lIM P INr. WII nl IFF FAr.T FII P M PRI t\I TFn 1t\1 I I e:: A
Male (spring plumage): In
April , head, neck, chest , and back
become dark brown. Back feathers
edged with lighter brown. Blackish
brown tail feathers. Gray oval-
shaped patch around eyes.
I Ie:: 1':11111 1 ') 1177 PlI rl<'I=T 77
The oldsquaw may be the best diver of the 20 species of sea
duck that live in the Northern Hemisphere. It is able to stay
underwater for as long as 90 seconds and can descend to
depths of several yards. A feeding flock may synchronize its
diving, with the members submerging together or one right
after another. The oldsquaw's diving ability helps it search
for the small fish, mollusks, and crabs on which it feeds.
~ CHARACTERISTI CS
The oldsquaw is unique in that
both sexes molt, or shed, their
plumage four times a year. In
April the drake (male) sheds his
distinctive white and dark win-
ter plumage and develops an
overall darker spring colori ng.
He loses his flight feathers in July
and assumes a dull eclipse (int er-
im) plumage, unable to fly until
his feathers grow back by late
August. In September he molts
and develops his fall plumage.
In November he returns to his
distinctive winter coloring.
These many changes may be
designed to camouflage the
ducks against their backgrounds
in different seasons. The drake's
winter plumage also gives him a
dramatic appearance during his
courtship displays.
Oldsquaws are often found in
noisy flocks of 50 to 100 birds,
flying low over the water. While
it is in flight, the bird constantly
tilts its body from side to side. Its
wings hardly rise above its body
on the upstroke, but the down-
stroke is deep.
The oldsquaw splashes down
on the water breast-first, rather
than feetfirst like most species. It
swims and dives with great skill.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The oldsquaw feeds underwa-
ter, mainly by day. This bird can
dive to great depths. It frequent-
ly jumps up above the water be-
fore a dive, throws its head back
and then forward, fans its tail
feathers as it submerges, and
beats its folded wings to propel
itself downward. A feeding flock
may either dive simultaneously
or swim in single file and dive
one after the other.
During winter the oldsquaw
feeds mainly on such mollusks
Left: The male oldsquaw can be
recognized by his extremely long,
pointed tail feathers.
DID YOU KNOW?
The name oldsquaw was
initially given to this duck by
hunters, who thought its calls
sounded like groups of chant-
ing squaws.
Oldsquaws have traditional-
ly been hunted for food, espe-
cially in Siberia.
Soon after the females be-
gin incubating, the males
and crustaceans as clams, mus-
sels, cockles, whelks, periwin-
kles, shrimp, and small crabs. It
also eats bristleworms and star-
fish as well as small fish such as
gobies, sticklebacks, cod, and
flatfish. On occasion this bird
also eats small amounts of sea-
weed and eelgrass.
At its breeding grounds, the
oldsquaw feeds on insects and
their larvae plus snails and fresh-
water shrimp. It also eats seeds,
berries, and other plant matter.
Right: The oldsquaw feeds from
salt water in winter and fresh or
brackish water in summer.
gather on coastal waters and
lakes to molt.
In order to molt, some fe-
males have to abandon their
brood before their young are
fully fledged. ~
Two females may lay their
eggs in the same nest, and
the combined clutch may
contain up to 18 eggs.
The oldsquaw is easy t o iden-
tify by its small size, singular
I
coloring, neat head, high fore-
head, and stubby bil l. It is t he
I
only duck t hat has dark wings
combined with large areas of
I white on both its body and
head. The male's pointed tail
~ BREEDING
The oldsquaw breeds on Arctic
tundra and uplands, coastal
islands, and river deltas as far
north as there is ice-free land in
summer. Pairs start forming in
their winter quarters. While fly-
ing north in early spring, flocks
combine and more birds form
pairs. Most have found mates
by the time they reach their
breeding grounds in May.
The female selects a nesting
site on the ground, usually in
dense vegetation near water.
Left: In spring, the female oldsquaw
loses her white head feathers for bet-
ter camouflage when nesting.
shows up well during flight.
Wintering oldsquaws begin
arriving in the United States
in late fall, and their numbers
peak between late December
and February. By early May,
most of t he ducks have re-
t urned north to breed.
She hollows out a shallow de-
pression and lines it with feath-
ers and plant matter.
She lays up to nine eggs at
a rate of one a day and begins
incubating after laying her last
egg. When she leaves the nest
to feed, she covers the eggs
with a layer of down to keep
them warm and concealed.
Soon after they hatch, the
chicks leave the nest and are
able to feed themselves. HQw-
ever, their mother still broods
them (covers them with her
wings) during the night for
several more weeks.
"' CARD 199 I
BOHEMIAN WAXWING
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Bombycil/idae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Bombycil/a garrulus
As it pauses between large meals of berries, the Bohemian
waxwing is easy to recognize. It sits upright with its silky feathers
fluffed out and its large, unmistakable crest held erect.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 7 in.
Wingspan: 1 3 in.
Weight: 2-3 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years.
Breeding season: Late spring.
Eggs: 5-6; grayish blue with
darker gray spots.
No. of broods: 1.
Incubation: 2 weeks.
Fledging period: 14-1 7 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable; feeds in flocks
and breeds in colonies.
Diet: Buds, flowers, insects, and
a variety of fruits and berries.
Call : Soft, high-pitched metallic
trill in the breeding season.
RELATED SPECIES
The two other waxwings are the
cedar waxwing, Bombycil/a cedro-
rum, of North America and the
Japanese waxwing, B. japonica.
Breeding range of the
Bohemian waxwing.
DISTRIBUTION
Winter range.
Found across western Canada and Alaska, northern Europe and
northern Asia.
CONSERVATION
There are no obvious threats to the Bohemian waxwing, ex-
cept forest clearance in some breeding areas. Because orna-
mental shrubs such as cotoneaster are popular in gardens, the
bird has a good food supply in winter.
FEATURES OF THE BOHEMIAN WAXWING
Flight: Swift and direct, gliding at in-
tervals. Reveals white wing flashes
and yellow trailing edges. Red tips
on feathers resemble sealing wax,
giving the bird its name.
Eggs: 5 or 6. Laid in
Mayor June in a
cup-shaped nest
at least 10 feet
Plumage: Pinkish brown. Distinctive crest,
black mask and throat, gray rump, yellow
wing and tail patterns. Sexes are similar,
but female may look duller.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Juvenile: Duller
plumage than that of
the adult, especially
on its wings and
around its throat.
May have less pro-
nounced crest than
its parents.
0160200621 PACKET 62
The Bohemian waxwing is one of three species of waxwing.
These birds are named for the red waxlike tips of their wing
feathers. Of the three species, the Bohemian waxwing is the
largest. This colorful bird is found in the northern parts of
Europe, Asia, and North America. On rare occasions in
winte" it can be seen in the United States south of Alaska.

The Bohemian waxwing breeds
in the conifer forests of northern
Europe, Asia, and North Ameri-
ca. Its breeding range stretches
north, almost to the tree line in
subarctic regions.
During the fall, flocks of birds
BEHAVIOR
The Bohemian waxwing is very
sociable and tame. It shows al-
most no fear of humans and
will feed in a tree only 10 feet
away from a well-traveled path.
The bird gorges itself on berries
and then rests. It frequently flies
away for a drink of water and
then returns for another meal.
move out of the forests and ven-
ture into parks and gardens in
search of berries. But even when
they are feeding among bushes
and shrubs, the birds tend to
stay in areas where there are
plenty of trees.
The Bohemian waxwing flies
rapidly and straight, with whir-
ring beats of its short, triangu-
lar wings. When returning to
a berry bush, it arrives quickly
and quietly, diving straight in
to perch by the berries. It may
then call to other birds to lead
them to the bush.
BREEDING
The Bohemian waxwing begins
its courtship in winter. The male
chases a potential mate in rapid
flights, while calling to her. He
shows off by performing a clum-
sy dance, raising his crest, fluff-
ing his feathers, and drooping
his tail. He then looks surpris-
ingly large and almost round.
If the female is interested in
the male, she fluffs her feathers
and perches beside him. She
lets the male pass her a gift of
food or a twig and then returns
a piece of the gift to him. The
Left: The Bohemian waxwing is
larger than the two other species
of waxwing.
DID YOU KNOW?
One pair of Bohemian wax-
wings was observed passing a
berry back and forth a total of
14 times.
In 1965 at least 10,000 wax-
wings reached Scotland, and
many hundreds arrived on the
coast of England. In the same
male and female repeat this rou-
tine several times.
The cup-shaped nest is set 10
to 50 feet above the ground in
a tree. It is made of twigs and
lined with moss and grass. Five
or six grayish blue eggs with
darker gray spots are laid. They
are incubated for two weeks,
mostly by the female. Both par-
ents feed the young, which can
usually fly by the time they are
two weeks old. In bad weather
it may be a few days longer be-
fore the young fly.
Right: The juvenile Bohemian wax-
wing has duller plumage that helps
to camouflage it in the trees.
year, as many as 34,000 wax-
wings were recorded in west-
ern Germany.
A waxwing was caught in
Poland one winter, marked,
and released. It was found the
following summer in Siberia-
about 3,400 miles away.
FOOD &: FEEDING
In spring and summer, the Bo-
hemian waxwing feeds on flow-
er petals and insects, especially
mosquitoes and midges, which
it usually catches in flight. In fall
and winter, it eats the fruit and
berries of a variety of shrubs and
trees. Crab apples, the fruits of

The Bohemian waxwing often
remains in its northern breeding
grounds for the whole winter.
There are times, however, when
the birds migrate. Birds in Sibe-
ria and Alaska, for example, of-
ten move south to avoid the
worst of the winter weather.
Every few years the berry crop
is very small, so large numbers of
birds fly south in an "eruption"
from their breeding grounds. At
these times Bohemian waxwings
may travel as far south as Texas
and as far east as New England.
Left: In just one day, a Bohemian
waxwing may eat three times its
body weight in berries.
hawthorns and rowans, bilber-
ries, and holly, cotoneaster, and
juniper berries are all favorites.
The Bohemian waxwing feeds
with great agility. It often hangs
upside down to reach a berry,
then swallows it whole with a
toss of its head.
The birds also travel from north-
ern Europe to the western and
central regions. They sometimes
fly as far south as the Mediterra-
nean Sea.
The Bohemian waxwing may
roam hundreds of miles in win-
ter. When a flock finds a good
source of food, the birds do not
move on until the food supply is
finished. Sometimes the flocks
split up into smaller units that
are based on family groups.
In spring, when berry crops
have been depleted, the Bohe-
mian waxwing resumes its diet
of insects and buds, and returns
to its breeding grounds.
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE
_________________________________
". ORDER
"1IIIIIIII Galliformes
FAMILY
Phasianidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Alectoris rufa
The red-legged partridge is known for its bright red bill and legs.
Larger than the gray partridge, It Is less popular as a game
bird because it tends to run rather than fly.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
J. Length: in.
Wingspan: in.
Weight: 14-1 9 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: April to August.
No. of broods: 1, sometimes 2 at
the same time.
Eggs: 10-20. Cream-colored with
rusty speckles.
Incubation: 23-25 days.
Fledging period: About 1 0 days.
Fully grown in 7-8 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sedentary. Lives in flocks.
Diet: Seeds, fruit, and insects.
Call: Loud, chucking notes.
Lifespan: Oldest banded bird, 6
years, 1 month.
RELATED SPECIES
Pheasants and quails are also in the
family Phasianidae.
Range of the red-legged partridge.
DISTRIBUTION
Native to western Europe, including France, Spain, Portugal,
western Germany, and northern Italy. Introduced to Great
Britain, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.
CONSERVATION
The numbers of red-legged partridges in France, Italy, Spain,
and Portugal are thought to be decreasing, but there has been
a small increase in Great Britain since 1950.
FEATURES OF THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE
Eggs: Cream-colored with rusty
speckles. Female lays 10 to 20 in a
scrape (nest hollow). She may lay 2
successive clutches in different nests.
Plumage: Male and female look
similar with white stripe above
each eye, white cheeks and
throat bordered with black,
blue-gray breast, and boldly
striped flanks. Lower
parts are yellowish.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Wings: Short and powerful. Capable
of strong flight, although bird is more
likely to run from danger.
legs: Bright red. Long and strong,
well adapted for running swiftly over
open ground.
0160200591 PACKET 59
Sometimes called the French partridge, the
red-legged partridge originated in the lowlands of
western Europe. This game bird prefers a sunny, dry
climate and light soil with low, open vegetation. The
red-legged partridge has been successfully introduced
to Great Britain, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.

The red-legged partridge is
usually found in flocks of 10
to 40 birds. In cold weather,
more than 100 birds may be
seen together.
The red-legged partridge is
most often found in dry, open
lowland areas, where it is able
to spot danger easily and can
BIRDWATCH
The red-legged partridge can
be seen in France, Spain, Por-
tugal, Great Britain, as well
as other parts of Europe. It is
usually easy to spot because it
escape quickly. It is more likely
to run for cover than flyaway.
If it is threatened by a bird of
prey approaching from the
air, the partridge may simply
crouch low on the ground
and remain still. Its plumage
keeps it well camouflaged
when it hides in vegetation.
feeds with a flock on open
ground. Early in the breeding
season, when ground cover
is still sparse, its nest hollow I
may be visible.
FOOD & FEEDING
The red-legged partridge feeds
on plant matter such as grains,
seeds, leaves, and roots. Before
dawn it leaves its roost to look
for water and spends the morn-
ing feeding. During the heat of
the day, this bird rests in a pro-
tected spot.
When rearing chicks in late
spring and summer, the par-
tridge feeds on insects in addi-
Left: The red-legged partridge has
strong legs and can run quickly on
open ground.
Right: The adult feeds the chicks
insects such as grasshoppers.
DID YOU KNOW?
The female may lay a second
clutch of eggs in another nest
just after laying the first clutch.
The male incubates them.
The red-legged partridge
can run very fast and may
confuse a predator by zigzag-
ging. If alarmed when nesting,
tion to plant matter. The chick
is fed ants when it is only one
week old. Grasshoppers pro-
vide another source of nourish-
ment. This diet, however, puts
the chicks at risk during wet
summers, when insects be-
come hard to find.
Right: The red-legged partridge is
often crossbred with other species
to produce game birds.
the bird draws attention away
from its eggs by running with
its wings outstretched and
stumbling as if injured.
A courting male may pick
up a piece of food, call to his
intended mate, and then drop
it for her to take.
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE & MAN
The red-legged partridge was
introduced to Madeira in the
15th century and Great Britain
in the 18th century. It was intro-
duced as a game bird after hunt-
ing had reduced the population
of the gray partridge.
Today, red-legged partridges

The breeding season begins in
April. Pairs form and may stay
together for years, although a
few red-legged partridges have
two partners at the same time.
The male chooses a nest site
under a bush or in a hedgerow.
He circles the site and scratches
the soil to form a hollow. Sitting
in the hollow, he picks up leaves
and twigs and then flings them
around him to form a ring.
The female then moves into
the hollow, known as a scrape.
She lays up to 20 eggs, which
Left: The female red-legged par-
tridge lays up to 20 eggs, which
hatch in about a month.
have declined in a large part
of their range due to hunting.
They are still fairly numerous in
mountainous areas of Madeira,
but numbers have dropped in
the Canary Islands. In Great
Britain captive breeding has
increased the population.
both parents incubate. In 23
to 25 days the eggs hatch. The
young soon leave the nest to
forage for food with their par-
ents. The adults communicate
with the chicks by making low
cooing sounds. They may draw
the chicks' attention to food by
picking it up and dropping it in
front of them. They may also
point to food with their bills.
About 1 0 days after hatch-
ing, a young bird is able to fly.
It is fully grown in less than two
months, but it remains with its
parents for the winter. The red-
legged partridge is not sexually
mature until it is a year old.